Today, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance requested the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) to review the campaign committee of State Rep. Michelle DuBois and her use of a PayPal account that appears to be in violation of state campaign finance law. Below is a copy of our letter to OCPF with the supporting attachments.

March 30, 2017

Michael Sullivan, Director

Office of Campaign and Political Finance

One Ashburton Pl # 411

Boston, MA 02108

Dear Mr. Sullivan,

On behalf of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, I request OCPF to review the campaign committee of State Rep. Michelle DuBois and her use of a PayPal account that appears to be in violation of state campaign finance law. (See State Rep. DuBois’ PayPal here: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dubois.52056 and below).

OCPF’s regulations require that a political committee that solicits contributions using PayPal must request occupation and employer information from contributors giving $200 or more in a year before directing the contributors to the PayPal site. In addition, the website must require contributors to certify, with an affirmative action, that they are responsible for making payments on the credit card and that the contributor’s personal funds will be the true source of the contributions. (See November 29, 2011 Agency Action Letter: http://files.ocpf.us/pdf/actions/orrall_11.pdf). It appears Rep. DuBois’ PayPal site is in violation of both requirements.

In response to OCPF’s review of a similar case (see November 2011 Agency Review), if the committee did not receive affirmative replies for the contributions in question, those contributions must be refunded. Such contributions must be returned as part of restitution, as the monies constitute an illegal advantage.

On behalf of the members of The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, thanks so much.

Sincerely,

Paul Diego Craney

Executive Director

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance